Infrared encoding of security elements using standard xerographic materials

Abstract

The teachings as provided herein relate to a watermark embedded in an image that has the property of being relatively indecipherable under normal light, and yet decipherable under infrared illumination when viewed by a suitable infrared sensitive device. This infrared mark entails, a substrate reflective to infrared radiation, and a first colorant mixture and second colorant mixture printed as an image upon the substrate. The first colorant mixture layer in connection with the substrate has a property of strongly reflecting infrared illumination, as well as a property of low contrast under normal illumination against a second colorant mixture as printed in close spatial proximity to the first colorant mixture pattern, such that the resultant image rendered substrate suitably exposed to an infrared illumination, will yield a discernable image evident as a infrared mark to a suitable infrared sensitive device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Cross-reference is made to the following application filed simultaneously herewith and incorporated by reference herein: Eschbach et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed simultaneously herewith, entitled “INFRARED ENCODING OF SECURITY ELEMENTS USING STANDARD XEROGRAPHIC MATERIALS WITH DISTRACTION PATTERNS” (Attorney Docket No. 20070029Q-US-NP).[0002]Cross-reference is made to the following applications which are incorporated by reference herein: Eschbach et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed simultaneously herewith, entitled “INFRARED ENCODING FOR EMBEDDING MULTIPLE VARIABLE DATA INFORMATION COLLOCATED IN PRINTED DOCUMENTS” (Attorney Docket No. 20070293-US-NP); Bala et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 382,897, filed May 11, 2006, entitled “SUBSTRATE FLUORESCENCE MASK FOR EMBEDDING INFORMATION IN PRINTED DOCUMENTS” (Attorney Docket No. 20050309-US-NP); Bala et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]Further disclosed in embodiments herein, is an infrared mark indicator comprising an infrared reflecting substrate and a first colorant mixture printed as an image upon the substrate, the first colorant mixture having a property of high infrared reflectance in conjunction with the substrate. The infrared mark indicator further comprises a second colorant mixture printed as an image upon the substrate in substantially close spatial proximity to the printed first colorant mixture, the second colorant mixture having a property of low infrared reflectance in conjunction with the substrate, and a property of low visual contrast against the first colorant mixture, such that the resultant printed substrate image suitably exposed to an infrared illuminant, will yield a discernable pattern evident as a infrared mark when viewed with an infrared sensing device.

Problems solved by technology

However, these special inks and materials are often difficult to incorporate into standard electro-photographic or other non-impact printing systems like solid ink printers, either due to cost, availability or physical / chemical properties.

This in turn discourages their use in variable data printing arrangements, such as for redeemable coupons or other personalized printed media for example.

Images